Treasury releases Sh14b for schools amid closure threats

The National Treasury has disbursed Sh14 billion for school capitation, bringing the total amount released so far to Sh33 billion, the government has announced.

In an update on Thursday, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the funds would be credited to school accounts by the end of today. 

“This is in addition to the Sh19 billion released last week. So far, Sh33b has been allocated to Primary, Junior Secondary School (JSS), and Secondary School,” said Mwaura.

The government has also assured head teachers and principals that the remaining Sh15 billion for this term will be released in due course.

The disbursement comes amid mounting pressure from education stakeholders, including the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the Kenya Secondary

School Heads Association (KESSHA), who had warned of possible school closures  due to delayed funding last week.

KUPPET Secretary-General, Moses Nthurima had issued a one-week ultimatum for the government to release the funds, warning that prolonged delays were crippling school operations and disrupting learning.

“We are demanding that the government remit the capitation to schools within the next seven days. Failure to do so, we shall advise principals to close schools,” he said.

KESSHA Chairman Willy Kuria also expressed concern, stating that principals might be forced to send students home if funding was not released urgently.

“We are at a crossroads. If something is not done before the end of the week, school operations may shut down,” Kuria warned.